Minister takes Telangana’s Krishna dispute with AP to Delhi
Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday took the Krishna river water dispute with Andhra Pradesh to the national stage, highlighting the alleged illegal diversion of the river’s water while speaking at the second All India Irrigation Ministers Conference in Udaipur.
Urging the Centre to immediately intervene in the dispute, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Centre must ensure that no injustice was done to Telangana. He said that AP must be stopped from “illegally diverting” Krishna river water from the foreshore of Srisailam reservoir and the Nagarjunasagar right bank canal.
The two-day conference, organised by the Jal Shakti Ministry, themed ‘India @ 2047 – A Water Secure Nation’, is aimed at discussing long-term water security strategies for the country.
Uttam Kumar Reddy insisted on the installation of telemetry instruments to monitor Krishna water usage and called for an early resolution of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-II) case to safeguard Telangana’s rightful share. He said the Centre should fund desilting and de-sedimentation of all major and minor irrigation projects in the state.
He also pointed out that the Telangana government had initiated this effort in all its major and medium irrigation projects as per the Central framework, adding that it should, in line with support provided to similar projects in other states, support Telangana on this front.
On the investigations by the National Dam Safety Authority into the Medigadda barrage, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the inquiry was pending for several months and requested the Union ministry’s intervention to ensure swift completion of the final report and provision of a clear course of action for the Telangana government. “We request clear written recommendations from the Centre on the way forward,” he said.
Highlighting Telangana’s ambitious Musi Riverfront Development Project, Uttam Kumar Reddy sought full financial support, similar to the assistance extended to the Ganga and Yamuna rejuvenation projects. He stressed that the initiative aimed to restore river ecology, improve sewage management, and enhance urban infrastructure while ensuring sustainable water management for Telangana’s capital city.
The minister further sought Rs 4,000 crore for the establishment of trunk and interceptor sewer networks along the Musi River and an additional Rs 6,000 crore to link the Godavari River with Osmansagar and Himayatsagar reservoirs. He emphasised that this linkage would secure Hyderabad’s drinking water supply while also ensuring the rejuvenation of the Musi.
There is also an urgent need to expedite water allocation for the Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation scheme, Sammakka-Sarakka, and Sitaramasagar projects, along with low-cost, long-term funding for ongoing irrigation projects.
